My Chimp and Me

In 1967, Hester and Jerry Mundis were living in a small apartment on the upper west side of Manhattan, with their 8-year old son Shep and Ahab, the family dog. Both Hester and Jerry were busy working parents. The last thing they needed was anything else on their plate. But when they stumbled upon an orphaned baby chimpanzee in a run-down exotic pet store, it was love at first touch. They named him Boris and brought him home.

For 2 years, this West African chimpanzee was a much-loved member of the family; a son to Hester and Jerry, a brother to Shep, and a playmate to Ahab. Raising a chimp could be chaotic. But the challenges of life with Boris were outweighed by the love and joy he brought to the family.

That is, until Boris grew so strong, and his natural instincts so uncontrollable that it meant he could stay no longer. Hester and Jerry scoured the world for a new home for Boris, somewhere nurturing, that wouldn't sell him on to a science lab or circus.

Now almost 50 years on, Hester, Jerry and Shep tell their story of raising Boris in New York City, with great fondness. Though the lessons learned were tough, and the pain of losing Boris was devastating, they don't regret a minute of their adventure with him. And on visiting Boris, still alive and well in Chester, UK, Hester and Shep discover whether he still remembers them.